With Elvis coming out this weekend, it got me thinking about what other beloved celebrities deserve their own biopics. Let’s go through which icons’ lives would make great stories and who would be perfect to play them.
For this list, I focused on classic stars of yesterday, with the exception of Dolly Parton because Dolly is timeless.
Dolly Parton
The sharecropper’s daughter from Pigeon Forge started out with a coat of many colors and went on to become one of the most beloved entertainers of all time. That her story has never been told on the big screen is an injustice.
Who should play Dolly? I’m going to be controversial here and say, Lady Gaga. She has an amazing range and an affinity for the classics.
My dear friend @ladygaga and I have a special connection through music, even as I live with dementia. I am so grateful for friends, family and organizations like the @alzassociation who have supported me on this journey. Find support at https://t.co/j5szQCokKf. #ENDALZ pic.twitter.com/ESVhpooG4d
— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) June 22, 2022
Willie Nelson
Everyone’s favorite pothead has had a long crazy career. Before it was fashionable, Willie was an outlaw who played by his own rules and did it his way. Who should play Willie? Can Paul Rudd sing? Well, neither can Willie. But you have to be funny to play the Redheaded Stranger, and Rudd has it.
i dont go here but paul rudd with curly long hair and a beard is fine af pic.twitter.com/vohheiWqJZ
— nika (@goslngs) October 17, 2019
Bradley Cooper would be a good choice too.
Just put A Star Is Born on again and my crush on cowboy Bradley Cooper rages on pic.twitter.com/SCq8AgpzJT
— Caitlin (@Caitlin26x) September 23, 2019
Clark Gable
Maybe the original effortlessly cool movie star. Gable could play the rogue and the statesmen with equal skill. Who is the modern-day Gable?
Obviously, George Clooney. I mean, it’s too obvious.
My mustache’s next journey: George Clooney in ‘The Men Who Stare at Goats’
Let’s see how this goes! pic.twitter.com/5W0THnVTeN
— Dylan Martin (@dylanmm5) July 7, 2019
Steve McQueen
Probably the first modern action star. Who would be the man to play Bullet?
Why not Hawkeye himself, Jeremy Renner?
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye pic.twitter.com/FrGg2zLTGw
— ?????? ?????? – Ms Marvel Era ⚡️ (@MarvelUpdatesPK) June 20, 2022
Jimmy Stewart
One of America’s most respected and admired actors wasn’t just a star on the screen he was a combat veteran pilot during World War 2. Giving up that life of privilege to serve your country is deserving of a big-budget movie.
So of course, why not America’s most beloved actor Tom Hank to play Stewart?
Tom Hanks Forever: pic.twitter.com/NvTEc56jz7
— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) June 19, 2022
John Wayne
The Duke was larger than life, and I don’t know if there’s anyone out there who could do him justice.
Maybe an older Wayne could be played by Jeff Bridges? Bridges is currently 72, Wayne’s age when he passed away. Bridges did a great job as Wayne’s Rooster Cogburn in the remake of True Grit.
Jeff Bridges ~ TRUE GRIT (2010). Dir. The Coen Brothers pic.twitter.com/Jl1wIdKuM7
— Daniel Marley (@UlteriousFilm) December 14, 2020
Honorable Mention
- Katherin Hepburn: Cate Blanchett already played her in The Aviator. It would definitely be nice to see her again in the four-time Academy Award winner’s story as one of Hollywood’s biggest female stars.
- Sydney Poitier: An icon and a trailblazer. The easy call is Denzel Washington, but I would like to see a young up-and-comer play him, perhaps Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
What’s a biopic you’d love to see? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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